The Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR) successfully carried out “Support for Peace Clubs to organize Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) Activities” under the Safe School Initiative (specifically designed for secondary schools).
The activity, geared towards the Prevention of Violent Extremism for 20 secondary schools in the five LGAs (Kanam, Kanke, Pankshin, Mangu, Bokkos) in the Central Senatorial Zone of Plateau State.
The Support for Peace Clubs activity was organized as a follow up to the establishment of IGSR Peace Clubs in the Central Senatorial Zone as part of the project titled “The Youth and Peaceful Coexistence in Community: The Plateau Case” Round II sponsored by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
The IGSR Peace Club Activity in secondary schools took place from the 20th to 24th of March 2021 (a day for each LGA) for twenty (20) secondary schools in the Central Senatorial Zone (Bokkos, Mangu, Pankshin, Kanke, and Kanam) of Plateau State. The program, designed to empower and equip the secondary schools to organize Peace Club Activities towards the prevention of violent extremism and radicalization.
The program comprised of lectures aimed at addressing some of the challenges faced by secondary school students in the different LGAs. Drug and substance abuse, conflict and peaceful coexistence, early marriage, and sex education were some of the issues covered in the lectures.
Lectures were delivered by skilled professionals in the areas of interest including experts from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Legal Professionals (members of the Nigerian Bar Association) who engaged the students in interactive presentations while addressing their various issues. This was followed by interschool competitions in the form of a debate/quiz between the participating schools in each LGA. At the end of the competitions (debate/quiz), the most outstanding schools were awarded trophies.
As part of the Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR) support for peace clubs activities, the Institute and its partners GCERF donated over 1,900 Textbooks, (covering various subjects) and notebooks, and other learning materials such as Branded pens, T-Shirts, and other Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the 20 participating schools. The school materials were donated to facilitate the development of the students in the five LGAs of the Central Senatorial Zone of Plateau State.
The Senior Programme Officer (IGSR) Mr. Samuel Emelis, stated the books were donated to strengthen the school libraries and to facilitate the organization of future Peace Club activities in the schools. He urged the schools to be accountable and ensure they put the donated materials to good use.
Also in attendance in each LGA were representatives of the Ministry of Education (Zonal and Area Directorates), Chairmen of the Local Government, Parent Teachers Association Chairpersons. They each appreciated the efforts of IGSR and its donors GCERF for their continuous efforts in preventing violent extremism in their LGAs and promoting peaceful coexistence in the communities.
The representative of the Ministry of Education (Zonal Directorate Pankshin), Mr Levong Binbol commended the participating schools for their active participation in the peace club activities, he applauded their skill and knowledge in the subject area of their debate, stating it showed the diligence and discipline of the Peace Clubs. Mr. Muhammad Sani Abba (NDLEA official) appreciated the students for their attentiveness and active participation throughout his presentation. He also urged them to abstain from the use of drugs and other substances as this was a vice that ruined the bright future of many.
At the end of the program, the teachers and students expressed their gratitude to IGSR and GCERF for organizing such an impactful program and supporting their Schools and Peace Clubs. They promised to continue to hold Peace Club activities to engage, enlighten and equip the students towards the prevention of violent extremism.
The program held as follows;
Mangu LGA on 20th March at NUT Hall, Mangu, Mangu LGA.
Kanam LGA on 22nd March at Multi-Purpose Hall Dengi, Kanam LGA.
Kanke LGA 22nd March at GSS Kabir Football Field, Kabir, Kanke LGA.
Pankshin LGA on 23rd March at Pankshin Youth Centre, Pankshin LGA.
Bokkos LGA on 24th March at Akiluwa Secondary School, Fakkos Bokkos LGA.
The list of participating IGSR Peace Clubs Schools in Plateau State Central Senatorial Zone include;
1. Kabwir Comprehensive Secondary School, Lepchalim (Kanke LGA)
2. Government Secondary School ForkhirAmper (Kanke LGA)
3. Government Secondary School Ampang East (Kanke LGA)
4. Ganaka Girls Memorial College Kwal (Kanke LGA)
5. Government Girls Secondary School, Dengi (Kanam LGA)
6. Government Model Secondary School, Dengi (Kanam LGA)
7. Government Secondary School Jarmai, (Kanam LGA)
8. Government Secondary School, Kunkyam, (Kanam LGA)
9. Government Secondary School, Mushere (Bokkos LGA)
10. Akiluwa Secondary School (Bokkos LGA)
11. Government Secondary School Ngoksar ( Bokkos LGA)
12. Andy Comprehensive College, Marish (Bokkos LGA)
13. Boys Secondary School Gindiri (Mangu LGA)
14. Government Science School Mangun (Mangu LGA)
15. Islamic Secondary School Gindiri, (Mangu LGA)
16. Girls High School Gindiri (Mangu LGA)
17. Good Shepherd College (Pankshin LGA)
18. Government Secondary School Wokkos, (Pankshin LGA)
19. Government Secondary School Jing (Pankshin LGA)
20. Langkuk Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School(Pankshin LGA)
